El Cajon closer to establishing veterans group

City Councilman Tony Ambrose's voice took on a dramatic and sad tone, and he apologized for getting emotional as the El Cajon City Council introduced an ordinance to establish an El Cajon Veterans Commission.

Ambrose said there were times when he felt unappreciated after coming back from a stint in the Navy during the Vietnam War era and he said he wanted to make sure the city and veterans worked together for the betterment of all.

The Veterans Commission will be a five-member advisory commission appointed by the mayor, including one member to be either an active U.S. military service member or reservist. The group will meet quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.

The commission will advise the City Council on military veteran-related issues, events and activities the city might want to be a part of, and would be the main communication and coordination conduit between the local veterans community and the city.

Neighboring La Mesa has a nine-member Aging and Veterans Commission that meets the fourth Tuesday of each month

The group will also promote and assist the city on Veterans Day observations and other military recognition events.

The city held its centennial celebration on the most recently observed Veterans Day, a successful all-day Monday event which drew thousands of residents and others from outside the community.

Ambrose previously said that he hoped the city could have an annual Veterans Day celebration.